







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | |
| Hi there, it's not Dick, it's Nick... Starts with N. | |
| It's got some water marks on it! | |
| Where is Flora, isn't she here? | |
| I like some Jamiroquai songs, but not all of them. | |
| Oh, okay, is there a problem with your house? | |
| It's too fruity. | |
| What does Diego do? | |
| But on the ad it says the house is fully furnished! | |
| Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | |
| Congratulations, I wish you luck. | |
| That's nice, what do you usually cook? | |
| Can you stop acting like I always ask for money? | |
| I hate them buzzing around my ear all night long and waking me up. | |
| Well this is how it is... do you want to see upstairs? | |
| I hope your friends don't mind. | |
| The other one is 3,000, but includes all bills. | |
| I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | |
| Alright, I think I know who he is... | |